Title: TECHNICAL REVOLUTION - ETHICAL EVOLUTION
Instructor: Cynthia Sharp, Esquire
CLE Credit Hours: 1 (ethics)
Length: 60 minutes
Level: All
(Highlights of August 2012 Amendments to ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct)
On June 29, 2011, the ABA Commission on Ethics 20/20 released a number of proposed amendments to the Model Rules of Professional Conduct. The area of technology received significant attention in two areas: “Lawyers' Use of Technology and Client Development” and “Lawyers’ Use of Technology and Confidentiality”. The Commission had concluded in its initial report “that no new restrictions are necessary in this area, but that lawyers would benefit from more guidance on how to use new client development tools in a manner that is consistent with the profession’s core values.”
On August 6, 2012, the ABA House of Delegates approved the final version of the proposals. While the rules do not directly apply to a practitioner until adopted in the state of licensure, they are relevant in that they provide significant guidance and insight into new frontiers.
This timely course touches on the high points of eight different areas covered by the Amendments: (1) Terminology; (2) Competence; (3) Confidentiality; (4) Communication; (5) Duties to Prospective Clients; (6) Receipt of Erroneously Sent Document; (7) Supervision of NonLawyer Assistants; (8) Advertising.
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Although I am a seasoned and licensed practitioner, I no longer actively engage in the practice of law and do not render legal advice to anyone. Nonetheless, I love the law and read various legal journals, blogs and books on a daily basis. I gladly share these resources with my clients, colleagues, CLE students as well as readers of my website and other social media outlets.